Troy Deeney says Watford "has literally changed my life" as he paid a heartfelt tribute to the club after his 11-year spell at Vicarage Road ended.
The striker, 33, was out of contract at Watford next summer, but his departure was announced by the club on Monday.
"I feel sadness, and a loss, similar to losing a family member," Deeney said in a video message posted on Watford's Twitter account.
Deeney has been linked with a move to hometown club Birmingham City.
He joined Watford from Walsall in August 2010, scored 140 goals in 419 games for the Hornets, and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2015 and again last season.